Introduction - Soon to be Russian Tortoise Owner

[AlexanderGo]

Hello All!
My name is Jason, and my fiance and I are planning on purchasing a russian tortoise within the next couple of months. Right now we are in the research/prepare phase. So far we've purchased the enclosure, and enclosure stand. Next we plan to get the accessories (lamps, substrate, dishes, etc.) and then finally the man himself (We plan to name him Cthulhu or Thulhu for short).

I've been looking around the site and have seen a ton of helpful information already. I hope that at some point I'll be able to contribute in a meaningful way as well!

 

[TechnoCheese]

Welcome! We would love to see pictures of your set up. Where do you plan to buy your tortoise?

 

[KarenSoCal]

Hello All!
My name is Jason, and my fiance and I are planning on purchasing a russian tortoise within the next couple of months. Right now we are in the research/prepare phase. So far we've purchased the enclosure, and enclosure stand. Next we plan to get the accessories (lamps, substrate, dishes, etc.) and then finally the man himself (We plan to name him Cthulhu or Thulhu for short).

I've been looking around the site and have seen a ton of helpful information already. I hope that at some point I'll be able to contribute in a meaningful way as well!

Welcome to the TFO!

This is THE place for up-to-date, reliable info. Please don't rely on pet store info, or even a vet, unless he is truly an exotics vet.

It's good that you've found us before buying lots of equipment, because pet stores will sell you expensive, and even potentially dangerous supplies.

Please post a pic of your enclosure. Are you planning to get a hatchling or an adult? Buy from a shop or a breeder?

In case you haven't seen it, here is our care sheet for Russians. Also some info on babies, and if applicable, a link to our list of reliable breeders who are members of the forum.

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/b...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/breeders-list.64666/

 

[dmmj]

Greetings! & welcome to the forum.
Do you plan on buying an adult or hatchling?

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum, Jason.

I have a suspicion that what you've bought for the tortoise is not going to be big enough. Yes, the russian tortoise is a small species, however, they need a lot of room for wandering, as they're hard wired to cover large areas searching for food. When kept in a small enclosure, they are stressed and continuously trying to escape, climbing the walls, digging in the corners, etc.

 

[dmmj]

Russians need space. What is the measurements on the enclosure you bought.

 

[AlexanderGo]

Welcome! We would love to see pictures of your set up. Where do you plan to buy your tortoise?

It's nothing too special, we purchased the Exo Terra large, wide terrarium which is 36*18*18. As others have mentioned, perhaps I'll be needing a larger enclosure.
We were looking at getting a "well started" tortoise from here: https://www.tortoisetown.com/product/russian-tortoise-for-sale-ws/

 

[AlexanderGo]

Welcome to the TFO!

This is THE place for up-to-date, reliable info. Please don't rely on pet store info, or even a vet, unless he is truly an exotics vet.

It's good that you've found us before buying lots of equipment, because pet stores will sell you expensive, and even potentially dangerous supplies.

Please post a pic of your enclosure. Are you planning to get a hatchling or an adult? Buy from a shop or a breeder?

In case you haven't seen it, here is our care sheet for Russians. Also some info on babies, and if applicable, a link to our list of reliable breeders who are members of the forum.

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/b...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/breeders-list.64666/

Wow, thank you for all of the helpful links! We planned to purchase a "well started" tortoise from here: https://www.tortoisetown.com/product/russian-tortoise-for-sale-ws/
We wanted to be sure that he was bred in captivity so as not to support taking them from the wild. I'll definitely look through the breeders in the list you provided. Do you have any experience with/knowledge of Tortoise Town?

As for the enclosure, it's the Exo Terra Large/Wide which is 36*18*18, shown here: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/natural_terrarium_large.php

Thanks again for all the info! I look forward to learning a lot.

 

[AlexanderGo]

Greetings! & welcome to the forum.
Do you plan on buying an adult or hatchling?

We were planning on getting a "well started" from here: https://www.tortoisetown.com/product/russian-tortoise-for-sale-ws/

Russians need space. What is the measurements on the enclosure you bought.

It's the Exo Terra large/wide (36*18*18) shown here: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/natural_terrarium_large.php

 

[dmmj]

It's nothing too special, we purchased the Exo Terra large, wide terrarium which is 36*18*18. As others have mentioned, perhaps I'll be needing a larger enclosure.
We were looking at getting a "well started" tortoise from here: https://www.tortoisetown.com/product/russian-tortoise-for-sale-ws/

Never dealt with them. May I suggest you check out tortoisesupply com very good animals plus the owner is a member here @TylerStewart

 

[AlexanderGo]

Welcome to the forum

Thank you!

 

[AlexanderGo]

Welcome to the Forum, Jason.

I have a suspicion that what you've bought for the tortoise is not going to be big enough. Yes, the russian tortoise is a small species, however, they need a lot of room for wandering, as they're hard wired to cover large areas searching for food. When kept in a small enclosure, they are stressed and continuously trying to escape, climbing the walls, digging in the corners, etc.

You're probably right... the terrarium is 36*18*18, shown here: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/natural_terrarium_large.php

 

[AlexanderGo]

Never dealt with them. May I suggest you check out tortoisesupply com very good animals plus the owner is a member here @TylerStewart

I definitely will, thank you!

 

[KarenSoCal]

Wow, thank you for all of the helpful links! We planned to purchase a "well started" tortoise from here: https://www.tortoisetown.com/product/russian-tortoise-for-sale-ws/
We wanted to be sure that he was bred in captivity so as not to support taking them from the wild. I'll definitely look through the breeders in the list you provided. Do you have any experience with/knowledge of Tortoise Town?

As for the enclosure, it's the Exo Terra Large/Wide which is 36*18*18, shown here: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/natural_terrarium_large.php

Thanks again for all the info! I look forward to learning a lot.

Well Jason, you've already heard about your enclosure. It really won't work for you. And if you are getting a well started baby, you are going to need a closed chamber for him. Search the forum for closed chamber...you will get your reading material for a week. [emoji2]

Now, more bad news...I have another link for you...mark it "extremely important". It's our vendor review subforum...read carefully, and make your decision.

BTW, I was born in York, and spent my first 50 years there. Where are you?

https://tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-vendor-reviews.107/

 

[AlexanderGo]

Well Jason, you've already heard about your enclosure. It really won't work for you. And if you are getting a well started baby, you are going to need a closed chamber for him. Search the forum for closed chamber...you will get your reading material for a week. [emoji2]

Now, more bad news...I have another link for you...mark it "extremely important". It's our vendor review subforum...read carefully, and make your decision.

BTW, I was born in York, and spent my first 50 years there. Where are you?

https://tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-vendor-reviews.107/

Thank you for all your help! I will be reading about closed chamber over the next few days, and looking over the reviews.

I'm currently in Hatfield, but have moved around a bit in the Philly suburbs. Been in PA for about 6 years now

 

[MPappagallo]

Welcome to the forum. I am in the same boat as you....doing tons of research before I make my first tortoise purchase/adoption. There is a ton of great info here, and everyone seems to be very helpful as far as answering questions and giving great advice. I am spending hours reading everyday! LOL Best of luck to you!

 

[KarenSoCal]

Thank you for all your help! I will be reading about closed chamber over the next few days, and looking over the reviews.

I'm currently in Hatfield, but have moved around a bit in the Philly suburbs. Been in PA for about 6 years now

Just don't get discouraged. There is so much bad info available, and your mind can start to go [emoji12]. Stick with this forum only. Many of the members here are truly experts, and have experimental results to back up what they recommend.

I, on the other hand, am not one of them. I have a CDT (CA Desert Tortoise, Chug.

When you come back with questions, start a new thread in the Russian subforum. That way more Russian keepers will see and answer your posts.

Have fun!